Had his team avoided key injuries late in the season, coach Dennis Wells believes Grand would’ve beaten Beaver late in the season to win the region title. And then, it might’ve been at full strength when meeting South Summit in the state championship instead of half strength in the semifinal loss.

Wells knows that injuries are part of the game, and even though the timing of those key injuries last year was discouraging, the silver lining is that a lot of players return with varsity experience this season.

Had the injuries not occurred, question marks would surround those two key players heading into the 2018 season. Instead, they’re proven commodities that Grand will count on for big contributions.

The pair is among six returning starters on offense this season, while the defense also returns six starters.

“We’re going to have some pretty good athletes this year, and if we stay healthy we should be pretty decent,” said Wells.

Three of those athletes are all vying for the QB position this fall. Even though Troutt got the nod after Jones’ injury last year, he’s in competition with senior Andrew Hansen and sophomore Dante Wells for the reps this season.

Troutt is suspended for the first game after being ejected in last year’s semifinal, which could give the other two a leg up in making a good first impression.

A year ago Grand had a very formidable offensive line, and three of those players are back in addition to one of its key blocking tight ends. The experience could help Grand pick up where it left off a year ago as the second-highest scoring offense in 2A averaging 35.6 ppg.

Defensively Grand also ranked second in 2A by only allowing 15.1 ppg, and there is enough returning talent in the trenches and at linebacker to duplicate that terrific season.

Grand Red Devils at a glance

Coach: Dennis Wells is entering his 17th season as head coach at his alma mater. His record in those previous 16 years is 84-87 including a state title in 2005.

Grand Offensive Snapshot

Offensive coordinator: Dennis Wells

2017 offensive production: 35.6 ppg (2nd in 2A)

6 returning starters

Shotgun Wing-T offense

Key offensive returning starters

Trent Elmore (RB): Became a full-time starter midway through the season and finished the year with 590 yards and six TDs.

Jarom Shumway (OL): Will be a three-year starter on the offensive line for Grand.

“I think it’s going to be good because we have a third one that is every bit as good as the other two and he’s a sophomore, Dante Wells. There’s going to be a three-way battle for the spot. Bryant Troutt is a good runner, him and Dante both, and Andrew is good at running the offense, he’s not quite the runner as the other two are.”

Coach Wells comments on strong returning experience on the O-line:

“The line, and I’m including tight ends cause the way our offense works, should be pretty good, and I think our quarterbacks and running backs should be able to hit those holes.”

Coach Wells comments on RB Trent Elmore:

“I expect some good things out of him. He stepped in when Brayden Schultz went down last year and did a really good job. He didn’t play much running back the first five and a half games, so the (590) yards he got came in about the last six games of the season or so. If his hammy stays healthy he’ll be good.”

Keys for Offensive Success in 2018:

Grand passed for under 800 yards last season, which was about par for where the Wing-T program has been in recent years. The coaching staff doesn’t suddenly expect to air it out this season, but at the same time Wells acknowledges that his team needs to be a better threat to throw the ball. It’s the only way to keep teams from stacking the box and stuffing the run. Whoever gets the nod at quarterback will likely dictate how much Grand ultimately throws the football.

Grand Defensive Snapshot

Defensive coordinator: Scott Horton

2017 defensive production: 15.1 ppg (2nd in 2A)

5 returning starters

3-4 defense

Key defensive returning starters

Brayden Troutt (MLB): Finished second on the team with 58 tackles last season in addition to three sacks.

Chris Thompson (MLB): Was Grand’s leading tackler a year ago with 59 tackles to go along with his two sacks.

“They’re both really good about flying around all over. I think that will be a strength as long as we plug holes and take care of the gaps.”

Coach Wells comments on nose guard Jarett Reidhead:

“He does a good job because he jams up the center and reads the play and gets down the line. He usually draws double teams because if they don’t double-team him then our linebackers are making the plays. It starts with the nose guard and Jarett does a really good job with that.”

Keys for Defensive Success in 2018:

Grand’s defense appears to have plenty of depth and talent on the defensive line and linebacker, but the big question is in the secondary. Last year’s primary starters all graduated, which leaves some pretty big holes to fill at the back end of the defense. Coach Wells believes the talent is there, the players just lack the experience. They’ll gain that experience in a big hurry in Week 1 when Grand travels to 3A juggernaut Morgan. It figures to feature one of the best passing games in 3A this season and that secondary will feel the pressure early.

Coaches preseason 2A South straw poll: Second

Deseret News 2A South prediction: Second

Key Region Game: vs. Beaver, Oct. 5 (Week 8)

Bottom line: Expectations for Grand last season were very high, but injuries prevented it from fulfilling that potential. This year expectations are a bit tempered, but not by much, and if this team can avoid the season-ending type injuries it will compete for both the region and state title.